Basic Physical Assessment Week 1
Questions and Answers | Latest Version
| 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What is the first step in performing a basic physical assessment?
✔✔ Wash your hands and introduce yourself to the client
How should a nurse begin a general survey of a client?
✔✔ Observe the client’s appearance, posture, and level of consciousness
Why is it important to check the client’s orientation during an assessment?
✔✔ To evaluate cognitive function and neurological status
Which tool is used to assess internal body sounds during auscultation?
✔✔ A stethoscope
Where should the nurse place the stethoscope to best hear the apical pulse?
✔✔ At the 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line on the left side
1
,What does the “P” in PERRLA stand for during an eye exam?
✔✔ Pupils
What is assessed when checking for capillary refill?
✔✔ Peripheral circulation and oxygenation
How long should capillary refill take in a healthy adult?
✔✔ Less than 2 seconds
What does the nurse assess when palpating the skin?
✔✔ Temperature, moisture, texture, and tenderness
What is the best position for a client during an abdominal assessment?
✔✔ Supine with knees slightly bent
What is the correct sequence for assessing the abdomen?
✔✔ Inspect, auscultate, percuss, palpate
2
,What sound is expected when percussing over a healthy lung field?
✔✔ Resonance
How should the nurse assess for edema in a client’s lower extremities?
✔✔ Press firmly on the skin and observe for pitting
Why is it important to ask about recent weight changes during a physical assessment?
✔✔ It helps identify potential fluid imbalances or nutritional issues
What is the best location to assess skin turgor in an adult?
✔✔ Over the clavicle or forearm
What should the nurse do before taking a manual blood pressure?
✔✔ Ensure the client is relaxed and arm is at heart level
What indicates a normal respiratory effort during a physical assessment?
✔✔ Quiet, regular, unlabored breathing
3
, What is the nurse looking for during inspection of the thorax?
✔✔ Symmetry, shape, and use of accessory muscles
What is a normal finding when palpating peripheral pulses?
✔✔ Pulses are strong and equal bilaterally
Why is it important to assess the client's gait?
✔✔ To evaluate balance, coordination, and mobility
How can the nurse check for jugular vein distention?
✔✔ Position the client at a 45-degree angle and observe the neck
What should the nurse note when auscultating bowel sounds?
✔✔ Frequency, pitch, and presence in all four quadrants
What might it indicate if bowel sounds are absent in all quadrants?
✔✔ Possible bowel obstruction or paralytic ileus
4
Questions and Answers | Latest Version
| 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What is the first step in performing a basic physical assessment?
✔✔ Wash your hands and introduce yourself to the client
How should a nurse begin a general survey of a client?
✔✔ Observe the client’s appearance, posture, and level of consciousness
Why is it important to check the client’s orientation during an assessment?
✔✔ To evaluate cognitive function and neurological status
Which tool is used to assess internal body sounds during auscultation?
✔✔ A stethoscope
Where should the nurse place the stethoscope to best hear the apical pulse?
✔✔ At the 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line on the left side
1
,What does the “P” in PERRLA stand for during an eye exam?
✔✔ Pupils
What is assessed when checking for capillary refill?
✔✔ Peripheral circulation and oxygenation
How long should capillary refill take in a healthy adult?
✔✔ Less than 2 seconds
What does the nurse assess when palpating the skin?
✔✔ Temperature, moisture, texture, and tenderness
What is the best position for a client during an abdominal assessment?
✔✔ Supine with knees slightly bent
What is the correct sequence for assessing the abdomen?
✔✔ Inspect, auscultate, percuss, palpate
2
,What sound is expected when percussing over a healthy lung field?
✔✔ Resonance
How should the nurse assess for edema in a client’s lower extremities?
✔✔ Press firmly on the skin and observe for pitting
Why is it important to ask about recent weight changes during a physical assessment?
✔✔ It helps identify potential fluid imbalances or nutritional issues
What is the best location to assess skin turgor in an adult?
✔✔ Over the clavicle or forearm
What should the nurse do before taking a manual blood pressure?
✔✔ Ensure the client is relaxed and arm is at heart level
What indicates a normal respiratory effort during a physical assessment?
✔✔ Quiet, regular, unlabored breathing
3
, What is the nurse looking for during inspection of the thorax?
✔✔ Symmetry, shape, and use of accessory muscles
What is a normal finding when palpating peripheral pulses?
✔✔ Pulses are strong and equal bilaterally
Why is it important to assess the client's gait?
✔✔ To evaluate balance, coordination, and mobility
How can the nurse check for jugular vein distention?
✔✔ Position the client at a 45-degree angle and observe the neck
What should the nurse note when auscultating bowel sounds?
✔✔ Frequency, pitch, and presence in all four quadrants
What might it indicate if bowel sounds are absent in all quadrants?
✔✔ Possible bowel obstruction or paralytic ileus
4
